August 6, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Demo marks al Shabaab withdrawal in Mogadishu
06 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA – 138 words
Thousands of Mogadishu inhabitants took to the streets to mark the first anniversary since al Qaeda linked group of al Shabaab withdrew from the capital, Mogadishu 6th,August last year. Jubilant demonstrators together with artists, music bands waved Somali flag and carried placards with slogans showing their displeasure towards al Shabaab. SONNA reports that demonstrators are currently streaming to Benadir Stadium in Abdul-Azis district north the capital Mogadishu where Benadir regional authorities are expected to deliver speech on this occasion.
Key Headlines
- August 6 deserves remembrance says president Sharif (Bar-kulan)
- Somali government claims victory against al Shabaab fighting (Shabelle)
- Demo marks al Shabaab withdrawal in Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu/SONNA)
- Al-Shabaab Logistics and Planning Base Destroyed by Kenya Army (Strategic Intelligence News)
- Military appeals for aid to locals in Lower Shabelle region (Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu)
- Puntland legislator killed in Garowe Puntland (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Mogadishu transforms one year on from al Shabaab exit (Telegraph)
SOMALI MEDIA
Demo marks al Shabaab withdrawal in Mogadishu
06 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA – 138 words
Thousands of Mogadishu inhabitants took to the streets to mark the first anniversary since al Qaeda linked group of al Shabaab withdrew from the capital, Mogadishu 6th,August last year . Jubilant demonstrators together with artists, music bands waved Somali flag and carried placards with slogans showing their displeasure towards al Shabaab. SONNA reports that demonstrators are currently streaming to Benadir Stadium in Abdul-Azis district north the capital Mogadishu where Benadir regional authorities are expected to deliver speech on this occasion.
August 6, deserves remembrance, says president Sharif
06 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan – 162 words
Today marks exactly a year since al Shabaab militant group pulled out of all its fixed positions in Mogadishu, allowing aid agencies to make their first airlift of emergency aid to the capital in five years. Speaking in Mogadishu on Sunday evening, President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said the day deserves to be remembered by all Somalis, as it is the day when the militant group was defeated.
He said the day symbolises peace and tranquility in the entire country as it evokes memories of the feelings of many Somalis when the group vacated the city due to pressure from the allied forces. Al Shabaab’s withdrawal from the city inspired massive investments from the diaspora communities, making the city to lose a tag it has never wanted in the first place “world’s most dangerous city.” Street lights light the city and Traffic policemen were back on the streets of the Somali capital Mogadishu after a 20 year absence, a sign of hope for many Somalis.
Somali government claims victory against al Shabaab fighting
06 Aug – Source: Shabelle – 113 words
A district commissioner for Somali government says that at least 20 al Shabaab fighters were killed in an immense battle that took place overnight in Afgoye district, 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Mogadishu.
Abdullah Abdi Ahmed, the DC told Shabelle Media that Somali government forces managed to drive back an offensive by al Shabaab fighters on Somali army in the town, killing twenty combatants belonging to al Shabaab. Mr. Ahmed underscored that the situation remained calm on Sunday following the overnight combat between Somali soldiers and al Shabaab militants.
Military appeals for aid to locals in Lower Shabelle region
06 Aug – Source: Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu – 126 words
Somali military has appealed for immediate humanitarian aid to locals in recently captured areas of Lower Shabelle region. Speaking to the press in Mogadishu on Monday morning, Military chief Gen. Abdikarin Yussuf Adan Dego-badan said locals are facing acute shortage of water, lack of health care and harsh living conditions including food shortages. He said areas badly affected include number 50, 60 and Awdegle.
Dego-badan promised to grantee security of all aid workers if they start operating in the region. He also urged well-off Somalis to extend their generosity to their colleagues in these areas. Al Shabaab has banned aid agencies from operating in the region before the rebel rule was recently ousted by join operations conducted by Somali and AU forces.
Fighting erupts again in Bakool region
06 Aug – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 70 words
Somali government troops fought back al Shabaab fighters in the city of Hudur, the capital of Bakool region. Government officials in the region said they are controlling in the town, while al Shabaab fighters are also claiming to have full control over the city after overnight fighting.
New parliament is expected to be passed
05 Aug – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 135 words
Somali traditional elders are setting up the new parliament as they already offered the National Constituency assembly. Elders meeting are going on to select members of the new parliament, and it been anticipated that some of the previous parliament members will be included in the new assembly as reported by our correspondent Abdulahi Suldan.
Recently, traditional elders in Mogadishu were busy on the selection of the National Constituency assembly, which approved the constitution. The clan elders are under pressure to immediately select the new parliament as the transition time closes in.
Puntland legislator killed in Garowe, Puntland
06 Aug – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 120 words
A member of Puntland’s regional parliament has been killed in Garowe on Monday morning, reports say. The MP Sheyba Sheikh Mohamoud was reportedly shot on the neck by two hooded gunmen outside a mosque in Garowe’s 1stAugust neighbourhood early this morning, shortly after conducting his morning prayer in the mosque.
The assailants whose identity and motive behind the killing still remain unknown fled the scene of the crime immediately. Government troops who arrived at the scene of the crime conducted investigations in the incident in order to bring the perpetrators of the killing to justice. Preparations for his funeral precession are now underway in Garowe, where parliament suspended a motion on local elections act that was scheduled for today’s seating.
Britain pledges help for Somali sports recovery
04 Aug – Source: Somaliweyn – 164 words
Britain pledges help for Somali sports recovery The British government which has in the past been involved in only Somalia’s politics said Friday that it will help the horn of African country’s sports fully recover from decades-long civil wars that ravaged the whole country.
UK minister for African development Henry Bellingham made the announcement during a meeting with Somali Minister for Sport Mahmoud Jirde Hussein and the National Olympic Committee president Duran Ahmed Farah at the Olympic Park on Friday.
“It is a great honor for Great Britain that Somalia comes to the Olympics—we were really very much interested in Somalia’s arrival to the London 2012 Olympic Games amid difficult situations” Mr. Henry Bellingham said during Friday’s meeting with Somali sporting officials.
Somaliland to register boats and ships
05 Aug – Source: Hadhwanaag Times – 105 words
The government of [self-declared republic of] Somaliland on Saturday said that it has embarked on registration of the ships and boats that operate in Somaliland coasts as well as the fishing companies. Speaking at a news conference, the Minister of Fishing Abdullahi Jama Gel Jire said the registration is to start on 5 August 2012. He called for the fishing companies who have not permission from the ministry of fishing to register soon. The minister reiterated that this rule will help the smooth continuation of fishing related business.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Al Shabaab Logistics and Planning Base Destroyed by Kenya Army
06 Aug – Source: Strategic Intelligence News – 139 words
A secret base run by al Shabaab militants in Hosingow area of Southern Somalia was captured by the Kenya defense forces in Sunday, 5th of August. Kenya army captured and destroyed the al Shabaab militia logistics and planning base used in launching militant activities in the southern Somalia regions including Afmadow, Hosingow, Kulbiyo, Badade, and many other towns controlled by KDF/TFG.
Strategic Intelligence reports show that the al Qaeda affiliated al Shabaab secret strategic logistics and militia activity planning base was captured and destroyed by the Kenya defense forces.
The base was located in the outskirts of the Hosingow area controlled by the Kenya army, TFG, and Ras-Kamboni militia who work under the AMISOM banner.
Djiboutian foreign minister reiterates commitment to Somali peace
05 Aug – Source: Sabahi Online – 85 words
Djibouti is committed to peace in Somalia and globally, Foreign Minister Ali Mohamoud Youssouf said in an interview with Djibouti’s La Nation published on Saturday (August 4th).
“Djiboutian diplomacy remains in the service of peace both in the government’s action through regional groups like the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or even continental ones,” he said.
He highlighted Djibouti’s participation in the Somali peace process since the Somalia National Peace Conference in 2000 in Arta, Djibouti, which concluded with the formation of the Transitional Federal Government.
Chinese aid boosts humanitarian interventions in Somalia: W.F.P
05 Aug – Source: Coast Week/ Xinhua – 1147 words
A donation of 16 million U.S. dollars by the Chinese government nearly one year ago towards humanitarian interventions in Somalia at the peak of the country’s devastating drought has paid off, a UN official said to Xinhua in a recent interview.
China responded to international appeal for assistance to save lives in Somalia as severe famine and insecurity worsened humanitarian crises in the country.
“The donation from China was very timely, it enabled us purchase 15,000 metric tons of food that was supplied to 2.2 million people in drought affected regions,” the World Food Program (WFP) Country Representative, Somalia Stefano Porretti, told Xinhua in Nairobi.
Somalia’s ‘win’ at the Olympics
04 Aug – Source: East African – 374 words
China and the United States might have been dreaming of topping the medal table, but one country was already a winner before the London Olympic Games started on July 27.
It was difficult to hold back the tears for the two athletes in Team Somalia — Zamzam Mahmuud Farah and Mohamed Hassan Mohamed Tayow — and their country’s Olympic chief Duran Farah, during the opening ceremony.
The athletes, accompanied by their coach, were given a warm send-off and welcome at the airports in Mogadishu and London. Top Somali government officials, including the mayor of Mogadishu, Mohamed Nur Tarsan, saw off the athletes in Mogadishu.
Kenya Army Advance to Kismayo to End Somalia Operation
05 Aug – Source: Strategic Intelligence News – 230 words
Strategic Intelligence confirms movement of Kenya army strategic defense assets towards the militant controlled sea port city of Kismayo since 3rd of August. Initial intelligence reports projected 3rd of August as primary in logistics and troop deployment by Kenya to bring down the last stronghold of the al Qaeda backed al Shabaab.
On the sea, Strategic Intelligence confirmed movement of three Kenya Navy vessels and their strategic direction towards Somalia. Kenya navy wing of KDF has armed warships which are now past Burgavo, an strategic sea-town once controlled by al Shabaab but taken by KDF.
Inside Story – Is Somalia ready for real democracy?
03 Aug – Source: Al Jazeera – 24:54 min
A constitution has been approved in Somalia, paving the way for a new government later this month. A new parliament is to be elected by the country’s traditional elders, and that body will then choose a president and elect a government. But there are still many challenges ahead. Is Somalia ready for real democracy? Guests: Muhdin Mohammed Ali, Abdulkareem Jama, Abdurahman Hosh Jibril.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Mogadishu transforms one year on from al Shabaab exit
05 Aug – Source: Telegraph – 831 words
Then, shells and small-arms fire echoed across the seaside city’s empty streets as al Qaeda-linked Islamist fighters withered under the onslaught of an African Union army. Today, a year since al Shabaab, that extremist militia, deserted its foxholes and sniper points and left the city to government forces, the sounds of a Mogadishu morning are the cracks of hammers and the drones of drills.
Somalia’s capital is in the midst of its greatest transformation in 20 years, bringing cautious hope that a measure of peace may finally be taking root. The shift started with al Shabaab’s departure from central Mogadishu, overnight on August 6 last year, after months of daily bombardment by the African Union mission, AMISOM.
Now scaffolding covers new buildings. Traders no longer fearing stray bullets fit glass to their shopfronts, and street lights brighten evenings along repaired roads that were front lines just a year ago. Down at Lido Beach, teams play volleyball beside the surf.
Aid trickles into Somalia’s drought hit Baidoa region as al Shabaab moves out
03 Aug – Source: IRIN News – 655 words
Until just three weeks ago, Nuriya Moallim and her family of nine children and grandchildren had managed to stay in their village in southern Somalia. Despite the failed rains and the drought of 2011, they persevere at home. “A year ago we had food stores, so we stayed in our village,” explains Nuriya. “But now they are all used up – there is nothing left.”
The Gu, or spring rains, were below average in the southern regions of Somalia where Nuriya and her family farm sorghum, a staple crop in the country. Without the prospect of a successful harvest, she was forced to leave and bring her family to live at the Salameyidale Internally Displaced Persons Camp near the main town of Baidoa to find assistance.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The Somali people have taken a great step forward. Somalia’s democratic journey will be a long one, and we must maintain momentum, focus to keep the debate and political process moving forward. For too long, the Somali people have been blighted by internal conflict and lack of stable government. Now is our opportunity to make the most of this week’s historic vote and continue our work to build a peaceful, democratic Somalia.”
Draft constitution: Somalia’s people have taken a great step forward
04 Aug – Source: East African – 392 Words
The approval of Somalia’s provisional constitution in Mogadishu last week is a major step forward in our country’s political transition. Some 645 delegates voted by a landslide 96 per cent to approve Somalia’s first provisional constitution since the 1960s. It is a historic step towards a democratic Somalia.
In Mogadishu last week, we witnessed the completion of a task that has been worked on for the past eight years. It marks the end of eight years of transitional government. The constitution is, of course, a provisional one that will be further reviewed and debated.
“Going forward, Somalia will need to couple the efforts from its regional neighbours and the support of the international community with a genuine will to get things done. In so doing, it must engage all the stakeholders involved such that a legitimate process of transition can take place. This will need to happen alongside a programme of stabilising the country. Until then, it seems that Somalia will continue to be going nowhere slowly.”
At the end of the transition period, Somalia is going nowhere – slowly
05 Aug – Source: Daily Nation – 641 Words
With a two-decade long history of instability, upheaval and violence, Somalia has become the poster child of the failed state. With the end of the country’s transition in sight on August 20, the country should now find itself on the precipice of democracy.
Instead, it is no nearer functional statehood than it was in 2004 when the Transitional Federal Government was established under the leadership of Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed.
The current roadmap agreed on by parties in September last year has been hailed as the best chance thus far for the country to make progress towards conditions of stability.
“In a nutshell, nobody knows exactly what will happen in both the near and the long-term future as to Somalia’s calm or crisis or the big picture that will emerge out of the unknown. However, that does not mean that there is no room for prediction. We can make a prediction based on the situation on the ground whether it is inside Somalia with its usual Somali political players or whether it is outside Somalia with its both foreign and Somali political players…”
Somalia: Self-aggrandizement and Self-enrichment in Government at the Expense of the Nation
06 Aug – Source: Raxanreeb – 846 Words
After the 20th of August 2012, Somalia will enter a new era that will either usher in peaceful existence of the country or in the mire of the status quo or worse. Before delving into the future predictions after August 20 2012, shedding first some light at certain things is not only important but uniquely paramount:
The desire to govern and not be a member of those governed is something that is embedded in the human nature but it seems citizens of nations love, more than one another, the position of the official authority such as being a president, a prime minister or other important positions in government—nevertheless, the Somali politicians seem that they are too much in love to be a position of authority in government even if the way or the means to that position is at the expense of the country—it is safe to say that the degree of selfishness is immeasurable to the extent that it would be wise for one to just look at it and shut their mouths.
“For these two athletes, being at the Olympics is about making an impact for their country. “I feel that I can really make a difference through sport,” Mohamed told me. Mohamed and Samsam are taking it head on. “I have realized that as an athlete during this Olympic games is the perfect time to help my community and country,” Samsam explained.”
Samsam and Mohamed Shine for Somalia
03 Aug – Source: Huffington Post Blog – 804 Words
Samsam and Mohamed’s is an Olympic story most people won’t get to hear. They may not even get the chance to compete in London. But, for me, their story is the most inspiring at this summer’s Olympics. I’m their biggest fan.
I first saw the two Somali Olympians in a photo. At a stadium only half-standing after two decades of civil war — walls pocked with bullet holes — the Somali Olympic trials were underway. On a dirt track, Samsam Farah edged her teammate to grab the ladies’ spot on the team. Her neon laces glowed but the bottoms of her shoes were worn flat. Mohamed Mohamed won his race, too. In the photo, he was perched on a pile of rubble, tying up his well-worn racing spikes.
Top tweets
@SomaliaReport Today (Aug 6th) Marks One Year Anniversary of Al-Shabaab Fleeing Mogadishu #Somalia. One Year of Highs and Lows. http://bit.ly/NW96dr.
@borzou #Turkey aid projects and commercial and political outreach making a difference in #Somalia, via @McClatchyDC http://bit.ly/OOh1to.
@AJEnglish Will #Somalia‘s new constitution help deliver #peace after decades of civil war? @AJInsideStory discusses | http://aje.me/N7bACt.
@PuntlandPirates Getting desperate… #somalia considers delaying parl elections to have a shot at unrealistic Aug 20 deadline: http://ow.ly/cKWI8.
@tresthomas_HOA Article says Roadmap may want to move Pres election before MPs. But dont MPs select President? http://allafrica.com/c/-4Yw82 #somalia #Confused.
@Sojeede #Migrants from #Somalia are in #London‘s multicultural hierarchy far below.But now Mo Farah brings a gold & becomes …http://www.taz.de/!98929/.
Image of the day
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meeting with the Somali leaders in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo: Hiiraan Online.